As was expected, Pakistan has circulated a letter which says that Indo-US nuke deal would trigger arms race in sub-continent. On the other hand India’s reaction was mild and one official in External Affairs said that Pakistani response was in a way predictable, but also a little disappointing. India has said that the chances are that the others in board will be able to convince Pakistan not to go for a vote.

 

Continuing his statement he said that even if it insists on doing so, the overwhelming mood among the members is to approve the safeguards agreement without any additional conditions. The Indian official said that traditionally safeguards agreements are not made controversial and nations tend to accept and sign them without much ado, and opposition.

 

India showing its disappointment said that when November 2006 Pakistan sought a safeguards agreement for its nuclear facilities at Chashma India had supported it whole heartedly and now the reactions coming from Pakistan side are unwelcome. The official also said that though India did know about the nuclear enrichment of Pakistan was not indigenous still supported for cause.

 

However Indian foreign ministry is not worried about Pakistani objection to the Indian safeguards agreement with 35-member Board of the IAEA. Unlike the NSG where all the decisions are reached by consensus, the IAEA has the provision for voting however that takes place on rare occasions. There are not many precedents and the last voting at the IAEA Board of Governors took place 2 years back on the issue of Iranian nuclear programme.